Oprema Jena

The Biotar 75 is legendary but it was our goal to maintain the exact Biotar characteristics while carefully improving the mechanical aspects and making it feasible for modern camera equipment and different mounts. So at the center of the development was to ensure the lenses ability to produce crystal sharp images at the center of the picture with a dramatic but not overly aggressive swirling bokeh at open aperture and its crystal overall sharpness at f 5.6 or f 8.0. It took several iterations to reach this goal. But we have done it.

Furthermore we slightly changed the design of the lens. The later versions of the Biotar had a somewhat different look and we wanted to come closer to the early versions with a straighter silhouette than the later ones. The goal was not to create a “looks like a famous vintage lens” but to follow the legendary imaging abilities of the Biotar and gently change the mechanical design of the lens and reach a more modern but still classic design that pays respect to this legend. We would call this conservative modernization – keeping what is best but improving where we think things could be improved.

This also takes into account that by using modern glasses and hi end coating some disadvantages of the earlier Biotar lenses due to reflections on the surfaces can be avoided while maintaining all advantages.
The 15 aperture blades of the new Biotar support the creation of the swirley bokeh and are of course made from steel and with a special anti-reflective coating.

The specific features of the lens creates an eye catching effect and the impact on the viewer is almost surrealistic

Already at f2.0 contrast goes up dramatically and at f 5.6 to 8 the optimum sharpness is obtained. It is better than many so called modern high end lenses of today. The color correction of the lens is outstanding. There is no lateral chromatic aberration as it is almost apochromatic in its effect.

Talking to photographers they start to rave about the lens and its abilities not only in portraiture photography but also for landscaping and nature.

The Biotar 75 is much more than one of the best lenses for portraiture. It is adored by photographers in all sectors of their art: fashion, sports, wedding, architecture, landscape and nature and even macro. But see for yourselves.

The “swirley bokeh” is an outstanding feature of this lens. This means that out-of-focus highlights in the background are subdued and at the same time rendered in a circular fashion.

Its sharpness at the center in conjunction with a dramatic swirl bokeh is legendary. At open aperture the Biotar 75 is as sharp as can be in the center of the image and it renders the famous and sought after swirling bokeh to the side. The feel of the image is somewhat delicate which generates great contrast in available light situations with clear shadows and lights in the background.